Brazilian workers face soaring food costs as basic basket swallows over half of minimum wage

A recent analysis shows that the cost of Brazil's basic food basket now consumes about 52% of the minimum‑wage earner’s net income, an increase driven by an 8.69% rise in prices across the country’s 27 capitals. To afford the basket, a worker must work roughly 105‑106 hours per month, equivalent to almost the full standard work schedule.

A separate study of the country’s meal‑voucher (vale‑refeição) benefit reveals that the allowance now covers only an average of nine working days per month, down from ten the previous year and far below pre‑pandemic levels. While meal prices rose 4.3% to R$ 44.69, the average voucher value grew merely 1.5% to R$ 583.75, forcing employees to pay out‑of‑pocket amounts equal to 101% of the voucher’s total value. The shortfall is most acute in Roraima, where vouchers last six days, while Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo rank among the best‑offering states.